We are back!!
Expressions has worked hard during the lockdown to provide a limited emergency service to our patients during the last eight weeks after we closed due to the increased risk of transmission of COVID19 in the community, and also to limit our use of PPE. We treated on average 3-4 patients per day, and dealt with serious trauma, major spreading infection and serious dental pain.
Now though as the government's recovery plan kicks in we are at a much reduced risk of community transmission. Fewer and fewer people in the community have COVID19 and there is a significantly reduced chance of it spreading.
For this reason we are now able to start returning to some degree of normality.
Dear Patient,
We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last couple of months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.
Infection control has always been a top priority for Expressions and you may have seen this in your previous visit to the practice. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it is both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.
Our clinic follows infection control recommendations made by the Irish Dental Council, the HPSC and the Environmental Protection Agency. We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to ensure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies' recommendations.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
We can't accept walk in appointments all visits must be by appointment. Please ring (0505) 21735
Our office will ring you prior to the appointment for health screening questions, and these will be repeated when you attend.
When you arrive the door will be locked, so just ring the doorbell whilst we put on our protective equipment.
We have hand sanitiser throughout the building for use, particularly when you arrive and when you leave the surgery.
Our waiting room is no longer in use, and the toys and magazines have been removed .
Upon entering the surgery you will use a cleansing mouthrinse and you will have your temperature recorded.
Appointments will be managed to ensure social distancing. That will mean there are fewer options for scheduling visits.
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment please call Expressions on (0505) 21735.
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbours and friends.
Sincerely
Dr Sarah Rymer and Dr Will Rymer
I think the main take home message here is that we are making huge changes to the way that we work, these will massively affect the way that a dental appointment looks and feels and we are going to need everyone's patience as we try to organise the clinic. I have included a short video here to show some of the things in the clinic that will have changed.
Thanks again everybody and remember to continue to social distance, wash your hands regularly, cough hygienically and don't make non-essential journeys.